The Australian Society of Magicians (ASM) is the fourth oldest Magic Society still in existence. When was it founded and where?

The ASM was founded in Sydney on January 15, 1907. It was born from a number of magicians who used to meet in a room on the premises of Sir Joynton Smith. The presence of a number of prominent magicians performing in Sydney at that time (Carter The Great, Carlton, Allen Shaw, Lorenzy, Charles Breton, and Svengalis) inspired them to form an official club. The key foundation members were Ernest Hosking, Dr Howard Irving, and Felix Booth.

What was it's original name?

The Society of Australian Magicians. They changed the name later in 1907 when it was realized that the initials SAM may be confused with the Society of American Magicians.

Name the three Magic Societies that are older?

The Society of American Magicians was formed on April 26, 1902 and made official on May 10, 1902. The British Magical Society was formed in 1905, and The Magic Circle was formed six months later.

There were nine ASM Clubs formed, though only two still operate today. Name all nine and their formation dates.

ASM 1 – Melbourne, October 7, 1920

ASM 2 – Adelaide, (began April 23, 1920 as the Adelaide Society of Magicians, then became an ASM branch in early 1921

ASM 3 – Mt Gambier, July 1952

ASM 4 – Brisbane, April 1953

ASM 5 – Pt Pirie, January 1954

ASM 6 – Ballarat, April 1959

ASM 7 – Launceston, May 1962

ASM 8 – Hobart, November 1960

ASM 9 – Ararat, started in 1975 by Barry Govan and ended when he moved from Ararat in 1979

ASM 10 - Perth

The original Sydney ASM (January 15, 1907) evaporated in 1923 when an officer of the club embezzled all of it’s funds. It was reformed in 1927, but then “went into recess” shortly after that.

1980. He attended the 17th Australian Convention of Magicians as a special guest and gave an unforgettable midnight lecture.

In what year did Percy Abbott start his magic manufacturing business in Colon, Michigan?

In 1933 he gave up performing and began the company that, within the next two decades, established itself as the largest mail order magic business in America.

How many different Australian magic publications did J Albert Briggs edit?

After emigrating to Australia, he joined the Australian Society of Magicians, and assumed the editorship of The Magic Mirror from H. F. Cohen in Sept., 1921 with Vol. 5 # 8. There was apparently some dissension in the Society, so The Magic Mirror ceased publication with Vol. 5 # 11, dated Dec. 1921. In Jan. 1922 Briggs started The Conjurer as an independent publication which ran for 24 issues and stopped in June, 1924. Next was Magic in Australia, which for only four issues from Aug. 1924 to July, 1925. He then revived The Conjurer in September, 1925 which lasted five issues, and stopped in January, 1927. Briggs announced his intention of publishing Australian Magic News in February 8, 1927. Whether it ever materialised is unknown. In 1932 he published Stage Magic for five issues until he restarted The Conjurer in January, 1934. This time, he actually published it monthly for 24 issues, then announced it would become a quarterly. This ended in January, 1939.

What was the name of the magic magazine published by Queensland magician Andini?